Posted August 6, 2012 by Guest in Celeb Interviews

Exclusive Interview with Tanning Expert Kassy Lucas!

SoSueMe.ie recently caught up with tanning expert and creator of the amazing Decadence tan, Kassy Lucas.

In May 2012 Kassy launched her very own organic tan Decadence Tan, which is in fact a guaranteed Irish brand. Kassy has worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years in a variety of guises. From work as a beauty therapist, educator and tutor, skincare consultant, and in 2005 Kassy opened her very own beauty salon which has built up a loyal following and sound reputation. So with this, we thought it would be great to hear some of Kassy’s tips and advice on how to get that sun kissed look, without looking tangoed!

When is the best time to apply tan? The morning of the event or night before?

We recommend applying the tan the night before an event for best results. This gives you time to allow the tan to develop and be washed off. However we understand there are circumstances where tan needs to be applied the morning of, due to time restrictions etc. Apply the tan early in the morning in this case and wash off after 8 hours.

Should a layer of tan be applied before bed, then shower the morning after, then apply more after the shower?

Yes this can certainly be done if you wish to get a darker result. For consumers who are not very confident with their tan application they can apply it in 2 very light layers rather than one layer. In most cases we recommend just apply one layer and wash off. Just reapply when tan starts to fade after around 5 days.

Should tan be applied to the face, as well as body, or just body?

In one word yes. Even if you intend to wear make up it is always recommended to apply tan to the face to ensure it matches the body.

Will fake tan, stop someone from getting a natural tan from the sun?

This is a common misconception with faux tan users. Faux tan will not provide any protection in the sun. You still need to use your normal SPF products. So yes you can still get a tan whilst wearing Decadence tan

How long does a spray tan last before fading?

Decadence spray tan lasts a lot longer than standard tans. This is due to many reasons. We use a combination of bronzers. We have added an extra tan developer to our formulation which continues to develop for 48 hours after application so it will make the tan last longer. Tan fades as skin dries out naturally sheds. As we have added skin nurturing ingredients the skin will stay nourished longer and the tan will last longer. With proper maintenance the tan will start to fade after 5 days but will last up to 10 days.

Tips on how to stop ankles and knees from going streaky?

The reason why ankles and knees always go streaky and look darker is due to them being dry areas. You NEED to ensure proper preparation before tanning. Always thoroughly exfoliate these areas before tanning and if they are extra dry feel free to apply a light water based moisturiser before application. Apply the tan to the whole body and just skim the remaining tan from your mitt over areas such as the knees ankles and hands etc.

What shade is best for feckly fair skin and red hair?

Decadence adapts to each skin type. The result fair skin and red hair will get will be totally different to dark skin and dark hair. We recommend if you wish to obtain a lighter tan simply apply a lighter layer.

Should I exfoliate directly before applying tan or in advance?

Always exfoliate about 24 hours prior to application. The tan will not develop as well if you exfoliate directly before application.

How often should fake tan be applied?

I recommend applying tan about every 5 days. If it is just for the weekend you would like to have a fresh tan application then apply every 7 days. Use the Decadence tan eliminator in between applications to ensure the perfect base.

Best product to remove tan?

Decadence tan eliminator is amazing. It really removes tan effortlessly and without harsh chemicals. It is a 100% natural plant fibre mitt which sloughs away tan easily. You simply soak in the bath or shower for 5 minutes then rub the mitt onto skin and you will see the tan rolling away. It can be used for exfoliation, prevent and remove ingrown hairs, reduce cellulite and stretch marks.

How do I remove tan without having to use a product? E.g is it true that lemon juice and milk helps to remove it?

Yes lemon juice and a bit of salt to add grit should remove some tan. Anything with a natural bleach should help. Even a whitening toothpaste left on the skin for a few minutes or soak in a bath with loads of lemon juice. These can be quiet harsh on the skin though so make sure to use extra moisturiser afterwards if you have to resort to any home remedies

So is Decadence tan 100% safe?

Decadence tan contains no harmful chemicals and none of the harmful chemicals listed in recent press. Our formulas are all natural and contain ecocert approved organic ingredients. Our products have been safety and toxicology assessed and are safe for use. Not only do they contain no chemicals but they are actually nourishing for the skin. Whilst the majority of tans out there do contain these harmful ingredients we are proud to say we DO NOT. Some harmful ingredients to look out for would be Formaldehyde, Nitrosamines, MSG, Parabens ( parabens are found in most tanning products and are deemed cancer causing) and tartrazine. The reason these chemicals are used in formulas is because they are cheap. We are proud to be an Irish brand consumers can trust.

Where exactly is Decadence tan available?

We have a salon stockist list at the minute on our website and the pharmacy list is due to go live within the next week or 2. As we rolled out the brand in May this year we missed out on large pharmacy deadlines for the year but we are vailable in many independent pharmacys. So it will be the end of the year before you find us in large chains. It is also available online on www.dropdeadgorjess.com and www.dolledup.ie We also aim to have the brand available in hairdressers before the end of the year.